Exclusive
Oldest vandal in town? Serial Collier Row crook, 60, caught on CCTV
Police believe the man is about 60 - Credit: Archant
A mystery vandal who doctors believe has been terrorising their practice for two years has been caught on camera – and he’s older than they expected.
He is seen squirting paint on the car - Credit: Archant
Since November 2013, there has been 20 incidents at Bay Tree Medical Centre, Collier Row Lane, Collier Row, of paint being thrown up the wall and on workers’ cars, which have also been keyed.
Dr Velautham Kuhan, who has owned the surgery with Dr Mazhar Mahmood since 1999, believes it is a targeted onslaught of vandalism but has no idea why it is happening.
CCTV was installed after the first incident to act as a deterrent. It didn’t work, but on Monday cameras caught a man carrying out attacks in the usual trend.
He wore a hat and beige clothing and carried a bag, but it was his age which shocked doctors and police officers.
The man then keys the Mercedes wearing a black glove - Credit: Archant
You may also want to watch:
“We think he’s about 60,” said Dr Kuhan. “I was surprised, we thought it would be kids.”
He added: “He’s so brazen.”
Most Read
- 1 Road and rail disruptions coming up over the coming week
- 2 Guilty: Who was jailed across east London in July?
- 3 Lower Thames Crossing: How would Upminster be affected?
- 4 'Disgraceful': Ex-estate agent sentenced for Chris Whitty assault
- 5 Chronically ill Romford man's fight for diagnosis after being told problem is psychological
- 6 'Lovely service': Initial impressions of Kem Cetinay's restaurant Array
- 7 Daniel Laskos stabbing: Teens plead not guilty to murder
- 8 Meet the Olympians from east London and Brentwood
- 9 'For my kids': Mother vows to keep fighting over council flat mould
- 10 Harold Hill man pleads guilty to Chris Whitty assault
Footage shows the man walking towards the surgery, squirting paint along the side of a receptionist’s silver Mercedes and walking off. He then returns minutes later wearing a black glove and scratches the hood of the same car.
“Having your place of work covered in paint is not very nice,” said Dr Kuhan. “It seems very planned, we’re being targeted.
Bay Tree Medical Centre has been vandalised 20 times in two years - Credit: Archant
“We have no idea who it is, or why we are being targeted.
“It’s affected morale. One girl even left because her car was keyed twice.”
Dr Kuhan said patients often wonder why paint is splattered across the front of the building, but after decorating it once and being attacked again within days, he and Dr Mahmood have decided not to bother.
Police are investigating whether a man whose face was caught on camera minutes before the vandalism is linked to the crimes.
If you recognise the man in the images or the video on our website, call 101 quoting 6956/03Nov.
